Claysburg Native Inducted Into Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame

Claysburg native Dick Lingenfelter, along with 42 other Blair County natives who played semi-pro baseball were inducted into the National Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this month at the Blair County Convention Center.

Lingenfelter began his baseball career, playing in The Blair County Twilight League in 1953. When the Twilight League disbanded, local Claysburg teams joined The Greater City League.

He started out as a catcher, but quickly moved into the pitching position. During his 39-year baseball career, not only did he play, but he coached and managed as well.

Lingenfelter retired from baseball at the age of 55. He played with 10 championship teams. He had a remarkable career and was dedicated to the Claysburg community.

"I'm quite honored and humbled," Lingenfelter said.

Future generations need to understand that it will take sportsmanship and hard work, according to Lingenfelter.

"You don't get anything for nothing. You have to put your best foot forward and best effort forward. In the end, it's all worthwhile."

The National Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame was started in 2006 and has had around 17 induction classes since then. It is coast-to-coast, border-to-border. Tim Turpin, director of the Hall of Fame, said that some of the Cooperstown Hall of Famers, who have semi-pro ties and were signed off of semi-pro teams, are included. He added that semi-pro roots go back into the 1870s.

The league that they were honoring at this year's banquet was Altoona's Greater City League, which has roots back to 1939. At its height in the late 1940s, the league had 10 teams. In its 84 years of existence, the league has produced several major and minor league players, as well as college players. Today, it remains an active league with six teams and two AAABA teams.

Another inductee was Altoona businessman Tommy Irwin III. He had a 12-year career and played for The Sons of Italy, The Belmar Hotel, Fiore True Value Hardware and Holiday Bowl. He played shortstop and second base. He was among the league leaders in batting average, RBIs, runs, hits and stolen bases each year.

Irwin said that baseball is a huge part of his life and there is nothing better than being recognized with his teammates.

"I hope that [future generations] see the value of a team sport and how much fun and how much good it could do for a community, family and everyone in general," Irwin said.